Aug. 22, 1863, a Saturday, dawned clear and warm and the regiment broke camp at 7 a.m.

“The whole division marched in a southeaster direction,” Spartan Band diarist William H. Hill recorded. “The day was very warm and a large number of men broke down and some suffered from sunstroke. Marched 13 miles.”

17th Mississippi diarist Robert A. Moore said they were moving back towards the North Anna River “towards the Virginia Central R.R. The enemy has established himself North of the Rappahannock on the [Orange and Alexandria] R.R.”

They camped that night on the North Anna, resuming Sunday morning.

“Clear and very warm,” Hill wrote. “Left camp at 3 a.m. and marched 12 miles. Camped at 1 p.m. in Spotsylvania Co., 4 miles south of Andrews and 10 miles north of Frederick Hall Depot on the Central R.R. The main body of the army is at Orange C.H.”